Bush, Manmohan have warm meeting, sans nuke deal signing

By Naveen Kapoor Washington, Sept.26 (ANI): The entire suspense over the signing of the US-India civil nuclear deal seemed to evaporate during the meeting between President George W Bush and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two had a warm 30-minute meeting at the Oval Office, but no agreement was signed. Addressing the media after the meeting, Bush told reporters that he is working hard to push the deal through. “This agreement has taken a lot of work from both sides. We are working harder to make it possible,” Bush said. The U.S. president further lauded the Indian Prime Minister for his vision and leadership in taking relations between the two countries to new heights. Bush said that it is in Washington’’s interest to have “a good and strong strategic relations with India,” adding that “India has incredibly bright future.” Dr. Singh said that he sincerely hoped that the civil nuclear agreement will be approved in a manner satisfactory to both sides. He also reportedly apprised Bush about the situation in Pakistan, to which Bush is believed to have said that the former’’s advice and briefing would help the United States to formulate its future policy. In an emotionally charged up statement, Dr. Singh said: “President Bush has played a historic role in bringing our two democracies closer to each other.” He further said: “I am mentioning the civil nuclear initiative because for 34 years, India has suffered from a nuclear apartheid. We have not been able to trade in nuclear raw materials, and when this restrictive regime ends, I think a great deal of credit will go to President Bush.” On the emotional note, Singh said: “Mr. President, this may be my last visit to you during your presidency, and let me say that thank you very much. The people of India deeply love you. And all that you have done to bring our two countries closer to each other is something history will remember for ever.” (ANI)